the vengeful luna

chapter 4

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I sat facing the mirror, staring at the reflection that didn’t even feel like me. My wedding dress, the one that was supposed to make me feel like a queen, looked dull and lifeless. The lace that once seemed delicate now just felt suffocating, like it was trying to strangle the last bit of hope out of me. The makeup artists buzzed around, their brushes and powders like instruments of torture as they painted a face that couldn’t hide the unhappiness beneath.

No amount of blush could bring color back to my cheeks, and no shade of lipstick could turn my forced smile into something genuine. I could see it in the mirror—the sadness was written all over my face, plain as day.

Sandra came in, her eyes filled with concern as she glanced at me. “You’re almost ready, Morwenna. You look...beautiful,” she said softly, though her words felt as empty as I did.

I had had enough. “That’s enough,” I snapped, waving the makeup artists away. They exchanged nervous glances but didn’t argue, gathering their things and slipping out of the room like they couldn’t get away fast enough.

As soon as the door clicked shut behind them, I turned my glare on Sandra. “Did you know about this? All this time, did you know?” My voice shook, anger and betrayal bubbling up inside me like a pot ready to boil over.

Sandra blinked, taken aback. “Morwenna, what are you talking about? I didn’t—”

“Don’t play dumb with me,” I cut her off, standing up so fast the chair scraped against the floor. “You never wondered why I’ve been feeling like my heart’s been ripped out every pain I was feeling? It wasn’t just nerves. It was because he was cheating, Sandra! Cheating, with *her*!” I spat out the words, the bitterness leaving a sour taste in my mouth.

She looked like she wanted to say something, to make me see reason, but I couldn’t bear to hear whatever excuse she was about to give. I turned away, staring back into the mirror, but all I could see was the pain in my own eyes, reflected a thousand times over.

A soft knock interrupted us, and one of the maids peeked in. “They’re waiting for you, Miss Morwenna.”

Sandra moved to my side, her hand on my arm, trying to guide me out of the room. “Come on, let’s get this over with,” she murmured, leaning in close. “Just...keep a smile on your face, okay? Don’t let them see—”

“Don’t tell me what to do,” I snapped, pulling away from her. My heart was pounding, and the closer we got to the hall, the harder it became to breathe. I could hear the murmur of voices, the rustle of clothes, the sound of people gathered to celebrate what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. But it felt like I was walking toward my execution.

When I reached Dylan at the end of the aisle, he turned to me with that same charming smile he always wore. But today, it didn’t charm me—it repulsed me. His smile was like a mask, hiding the ugliness beneath, and I couldn’t understand how I ever thought he was anything but cruel. The goddess must’ve been playing some sick joke when she paired us as mates.

The ceremony began, the elder’s voice droning on, but all I could focus on was Dylan, who leaned in close, whispering for me to smile. “Come on, Morwenna, at least pretend to be happy. Everyone’s watching.”

His words only fueled the fire inside me, and I bit down on my tongue to keep from lashing out. The elder turned to Dylan first, asking him to speak his vows. Dylan did, of course, and he did it perfectly—he said all the right words, with just the right amount of emotion, and the crowd ate it up. Everyone was smiling, nodding along like this was some fairytale ending.

But when it was my turn, I didn’t say a word. The elder looked at me expectantly, the room fell silent, and I could feel every eye on me, waiting for me to declare my undying love. Dylan kept whispering, telling me to just get through it, that I was making a scene, but his voice was drowned out by the roaring in my ears.

I glanced over at Dorothy, who was standing smugly off to the side, and my stomach twisted in revulsion. She was the one who had ruined everything, and yet here she was, smiling like she hadn’t done anything wrong. I couldn’t take it anymore.

“I reject you,” I said, my voice cutting through the silence like a knife. “I, Morwenna Page, reject Dylan draven as my fated mate.”

The shock in the room was palpable, gasps and whispers rippling through the crowd. Dylan’s face went pale, and for a moment, he just stood there, frozen, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

He quickly tried to take control of the situation, forcing a laugh that sounded more like a bark. “Everyone, please, calm down. She’s just tense, it’s the nerves, nothing to worry about.”

But then he turned to me, his smile dropping, his voice low and threatening as he hissed in my ear. “Don’t you dare ruin this, Morwenna. Not after everything I’ve done for you.”

I pulled away from him, my heart hammering in my chest, and walked past him, heading for the doors. But before I could reach them, Dylan shouted after me, his voice booming in the hall. “You think you can just walk away from this? After everything I’ve done for you?”

I stopped, turning slowly to face him, my fists clenched at my sides. “What you’ve done for me? You mean like cheating on me with my sister?”

His face twisted with anger, and he stepped forward, his eyes wild. “I forgave you for cheating on me, Morwenna! I forgave you for stealing from me, and now you want to disgrace me in front of everyone? I’m the Alpha of this pack, and you’re nothing without me!”

The crowd was in an uproar, but all I could hear was the sound of my own heartbeat, pounding in my ears. I looked around, hoping, praying someone would speak up, would defend me, but no one did. How could they? I was a nobody, a nothing. Even if I told the truth, who would believe me? Not even Sandra could find her voice to defend me.

Dylan turned to the guards, his voice hard as stone. “Take her to the pack cells. Lock her up until I decide what to do with her.”

They moved forward, and I didn’t resist as they took my arms, leading me away. I glanced at Sandra one last time, but she looked just as lost and helpless as I felt. I didn’t want to drag her into my mess, so I didn’t say a word.

As they dragged me out of the hall and into the cold, dark corridors that led to the cells, I felt the weight of everything crashing down on me. I was alone, truly alone, and no one was coming to save me.

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